Google’s Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt sparred with senators Wednesday during a hearing that repeatedly cast the internet search leader as a greedy monopolist more driven to expand its empire than to steer web surfers to the most helpful information.

Schmidt, Google’s chief emissary to the government, was put uncomfortably on the defensive as he trumpeted the company as a font of knowledge, innovation, and economic opportunity during a 90-minute appearance before a Senate antitrust panel.